Lib Novel Page 63
His lips twitch, and he bursts into laughter. His laugh is so infectious that I have to cover my mouth so I don’t follow suit.
“Sometimes you say the most ridiculous things, Sophia.” He grins, still chuckling. “I don’t want your organs. I have my own. What I want is your heart.”
He’s still laughing, and I feel silly. “I didn’t mean—”
“Oh yes, you did.” He waggles his finger at me. “Don’t even think of denying it.”
I bury my face in my hands, completely embarrassed.
Noah laughs again. “You have to be the densest woman I’ve ever met. It’s one of the most appealing things about you.”
He pulls my hands away from my face, forcing me to look at him. “One of the reasons I came here was to apologize to you. I never thought I would fall for you. I’m not asking for an answer right now. I will never push you, Sophia. But I want you to think about it, and I will wait till you’re ready.”
My heart is pounding in my chest. I’m not physically attracted to him, but knowing someone cares about me this much invokes a different sort of emotion in me. I’m scared to believe it, but he appears to be sincere.
“What do you even like about me?”
It’s an immature question, a childish one, but Noah smiles. “I like a lot of things about you, Sophia. I like how uncomplicated you are. I like your smile, the way your eyes sparkle. I also love how big your heart is. I could go on.”
“Alright!” I say quickly, flustered. “I think that’s enough.”
He chuckles. “I like how you become shy so quickly.”
I let out a shaky breath. “I don’t know what you’re looking for in me, Noah, or what I can even offer you. I’ve never been with anybody before.”
He presses his lips against my temple, and I can feel my wolf turn its face away. “Like I said, you can take as much time as you need. Now, come on. Let’s go get some breakfast.”
He gets to his feet and holds out his hand. I hesitate.
I have no one.
I have nothing.
I’m so tired of being lonely.
Ignoring my wolf’s reluctance, I reach out and take Noah’s hand.
We head into town to one of the cafés that is usually open at this time and order some eggs and steak. As I sit across from Noah, eating my breakfast, it suddenly hits me that I’ve never had a meal with someone before. How crazy is that? Unless you count coffee with Rita, I have never shared a single meal with another person. I’ve always eaten alone.
Punishment by isolation.
Just how many things have I missed out on over the years?
I savor the moment, but my wolf is upset by this new development. It wants its mate.
But Alex doesn’t want us, I tell it silently, and I can’t force him to. He has someone he loves. He doesn’t think we are worthy of him. But someone else does.
It sinks into a deeper depression. I don’t know what to do. In time, my wolf will get over this. Perhaps once the fated mate bond lessens in intensity, it will be easier for my beast to let go of Alex.
Noah is in the mood to talk. I answer his questions to the best of my ability, but I’m not entirely present for the conversation.
“I have to go to the security office after this,” he tells me as he puts his fork down, his plate wiped clean. “I’ve increased patrols in the woods, but no sign of the black wolf. I want to be sure, though. I think we’re going to do one more run in the woods to check.”
The idea of running freely in the woods in my wolf sounds wonderful. I’ve never experienced a shift, but I can imagine how liberating it must be.
“And I have to get to the bar for work,” I say, glancing at the large clock on the wall. “I told Elsa I’d head in early today and help her set up.”
Noah sees me out and all the way to the Dancing Bear, even though his destination is on the opposite side of town. He lingers at the entrance, smiling at me. “Do think about what we discussed. I’m in no real hurry, but I am eager to hear your answer.”